Jun 20, 1996

Formost Packaging Machines

Formost Packaging Machines has appointed Dennis Gunnell as sales manager. He will be responsible for both domestic and Latin American sales. Formost Packaging Machines, headquartered in Woodinville, designs and manufacturers bagging and wrapping machines for a wide range of industries.

US Bank

Robin Amrine has been named vice president and manager of US Bank's Metro Tacoma/Peninsula District. As manager, Amrine will oversee the sales and service activities of the bank's downtown Tacoma, Lincoln, Pacific Avenue, Proctor, South Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Bremerton Branches. Steve Wilcox has been named manager of US Bank's South King County District. Wilcox will be responsible for the sales and service activities of the bank's Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Twin Lakes, Benson Center and Covington branches. Both Amrine and Wilcox join US Bank as a result of its merger with West One Bancorp. Ron Castelda has joined US Bank as vice president and sales and marketing officer in Tacoma. He will be responsible for sales and marketing of the office's trust and investment management services. Previously, Castelda was a vice president and manager of trust and investments for Union Bank of California.

The Seattle Times Company

The Seattle Times Company, publisher of the Seattle Times and representing the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, has made the following executive changes. Marji Ruiz, former vice president for advertising, has been appointed vice president for strategic marketing. Ruiz will be responsible for three Seattle Times subsidiary companies: Rotary Offset Press, Direct Marketing of Puget Sound and Times Distribution, Inc. Reporting to Ruiz will be Michael Lemke, who was promoted to vice president of advertising. Lemke served as the company's classified advertising manager since 1986. Roy Schaefer, former national advertising manager, has been promoted to classified advertising manager

Jun 18, 1996

The Skansonia Ferry

Alexa Palmer has joined the staff aboard the Skansonia Ferry as sales and catering manager. She will be responsible for the sales, promotion and organization of corporate and private events. The Skansonia Ferry is a retired Washington State Vessel originally built in 1928. The boat is now chartered as a private and corporate event facility. The Skansonia is located on the North Shore of Lake Union at 2505 North Northlake Way. For more information call (206) 547-7201.

Fast Signs

Fast Signs of Southcenter was recently honored with two major awards from the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce. The company received awards as Manufacturing Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Fast Signs is a supplier of signs for advertising, trade shows, windows and vehicles. Under the direction of key principal Sam Spiller, the company has earned contracts with the Seattle Mariners, Schneider Homes, Conley & Associates and Oh'Boy Oberto.

Northwest Nexus, Inc.

Mark Chestnut has been hired as vice president of sales and marketing at Northwest Nexus, Inc. In his new position, Chestnut will develop and manage sales channels and lead the company's marketing program. Previously, Chestnut served as vice president of sales and marketing at Pinnacle Publishing. Nexus Northwest, Inc. is the largest independent Internet service provider (ISP) in the Pacific Northwest, providing a broad range of dial-up and dedicated Internet access services to businesses and individuals.

Sellers & Company

Francine Ott has joined Sellers & Company as an account coordinator. Ott works with clients in a variety of industries, including real estate development, health care, high tech, manufacturing and professional services. She is responsible for media pitches, newsletters, brochures, special event planning and market research. Sellers & Company, formerly Linda Sellers Communications, is a public relations and advertising agency that develops smart marketing communications strategies.

Seattle Public Schools

Ava Green Davenport, employee relations administrator, will serve as acting executive director of Human Resources for the Seattle Public Schools, effective June 17. She will succeed Ricardo Cruz, who has been appointed personnel director of King County. In her role as employee relations administrator, Davenport's responsibilities included developing personnel policies and procedures, advising and assisting management on the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, and directing employee discipline and performance evaluation procedures. Prior to joining the district, Davenport was an attorney specializing in litigation and employment law with Reed, Smith, Shaw and McClay.